Meat-siding machine.



H. r.. CONGER & c. W. WALLER.

MEAT SIDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25. 1910.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

4 SHEETS-'SHEET 1.

1n: Nonni: Plrls m, ll/Avlmaron. Duc.

H. B. CONGER & C. W. WALLER. MEAT sIDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25. 1910. Patented Sept. 20

@www1/tow. 9W g @0W um. wrom@ m11 www.

H2B. CONGER da C. W` WALLER.

MEAT SIDING MACHINE.

APPLmATIoN FILED 1,111.25. 1910.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.'

4 SHEETS-SH'ET 3.

H. E. CONGERG: C. W. WALLER.

vMEAT SIDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25. 1919.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

*'YUNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

HUG-H E. CONGER AND CHARLES W. WALLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

- To all whom it may concern:

invented new and useful Improvements in Meat-Siding Machines, of whichthe following 1s a specification.

This inventionprovides a machine of unique structure, whereby the workof separating or dividing carcasses in.' the preparation of meat for themarket is facilitated, the machine embodying a chopping mechanism incontradistinction to a rotary cutter of the saw type, the latter beingobjectionable because of the discoloration resulting from its use andattributable to the teeth of the saw drawing the blood to the surface.

The present invention provides a mechanism which is so constructed andcounterbalanced as to be easily manipulated by one person, therebygreatly reducing the cost incident to splitting carcasses along thevertebrac so as to provide sides for convenience of handling andtransportation.

A further purpose of the invention is to devise a machine particularlyadapted for use in slaughter' and packing houses to take the place ofthe generally used Cleaver, the chopping mechanism forming the essentialpart of themachine embodying one or more cleavers arranged to operate bya rotary motion, thereby retaining all the advantages incident tothe useof a cleaver for separating carcasses into desired pieces. A

4 `A further purpose of the invention is to provide a machine 'which maybe controlled electrically both as to position and in the operation ofthe several parts, such as the chopping mechanism, the motors and areciprocating saw, the latter being arranged to be brought into playwhen a bone of large dimensions is encountered, such as when starting todivide a carcass along the vertebrae. The machine embodies in itsorganizationr a carriage arranged to travel upon a track, propelllngmeans under control of the operator for moving the carriage on the trackto the desired position, a framework mounted upon the carriage andhaving a 'limited movement thereon to 'enable the chopping mechanism tobe properly positioned with Vreference to the carcass to beSpecification of Letters Patent.

MEAT-SIDING .MACHINE Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

Application filed January 25, 1910.l Serial No. 540,025.

The invention consists of the novel feal tures, details of constructionand combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularlyset forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out inthe appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of the specification, Figure lis a view in elevation of a meat siding machine embodymg the invention,a portion of the framework being broken away and the horizontal frameand parts supported thereby being removed. Fig. 2 is a central verticalsection of the subjacent portions of the vertical frame, showing theswivel joint formed between them. Fig. 3 is a front view of the upperportion of the machine. Fig. 3u is a side view of the lower portion ofthe machine. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the horizontal frame with theparts mounted thereon, the outer portion of the frame provided with thechopping mechanism being in horizontal section'. Fig. 5 is a detail viewof one of the guide pulleys and supporting shaft therefor for the drivebelt. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the chopping mechanism 011 alarger' scale. Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4,looking in the direction of the arrow, all in front of the hand wheelbeing omitted. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the means for holding the sawframe in operative position. Fig. 9 is a detail view of a portion of thehorizontal frame provided with the adjustable rod carrying a guide andtension pulley for the drive belt which transmits mot-ion to thechopping mechanism. Fig. 10 is a detail section on the line 10-10 ofFig. 3a. Fig. l1 is a detail view on the line jz/-y of Fig. 3, showingthe parts on a larger scale, the saw frame being swung into verticalposition. Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the horizontal frame,showing the clip for holding the saw frame when swung out of the Way,said section being taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a sideview of theV guard for protecting the operator. Fig. 14 is a section onthe line 14-14 of Fig. 11, showing the parts onfa larger scale. Fig. 15is an enlarged section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 4. Fig. 16 is a sectionon the line 16-16 of F ig. 15, looking tothe right. Fig. 17 is a detailview of a portion of the shaft supporting the chopping mechanism, show-`ing the movable clutch member, the latter being in section. l l pCorresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the samereference characters. l

rllhe machine is mounted upon over head tracks, which may be supportedin any manner and be of any construction. As indicated the trackembodies a pair of rails 1, which are suspended from rafters orrooftimbers v2 by means of hangers 3. The rails 1 are toothed alongtheir lower edges, as indicated at 4, to insure positive movement of themachine and to form locking means for holding the same in the requiredposition. The carriage A mounted to travel upon the track may be of anyformation and comprises hangers 5, which are provided at their upperends with grooved wheels 6 arranged to travel upon the rails 1. Thecarriage embodies side pieces, which are connected at or near theirupper and lower ends. Bars 7 connect the upper portions of the side'piecesof the carriage and bars 8 connect the lower ends thereof, thelatter bars forming in effect a track upon which .a pendent frame B ismounted to travel in a direction at a right angle to the movement of thecarriage A upon the track 1. The lower edges of the bars 8, forming therails of the track upon which the frame B is mounted, are toothed, asindicated at 9, to insure positive movement of the means whereby theframe B is moved. A shaft 1 0 1 is mounted in the upper portion of thecarriage A and is provided at or near opposite ends with pinions 11,which mesh into the teeth 4 of the track rails 1. A spur gear 12fastened to one end of the shaft 10 meshes with a spur pinion 18 on oneend of a power driven shaft 14. The numeral 15 designates a motor fromwhich the shaft 14 derives power and said motor may be of any variety,it being preferred to provide one of the electric type. l/Vhen the motor15 is in operation the shaft 10 is rotated by means of the intermediateconnections, and by reason of the pinions 11 fastened to the shaft 10 torotate therewith and meshing with the teeth 4 of the track rails 1, thecarriage A is moved upon the track, the direction of travel beingdetermined by the direction of rotation of the shaft 10. The electricmotor 15 may be operated by a our'- rent led thereto from any source.Electric conducting rails 16 are supported by the rafters or beams 2 andare connected with any source of current supply. A: trolley harp 17 ismounted upon the carriage A and is provided with frames 18 supplied withtrolley wheels, which are arranged in contact with the conductors 16 soas to take off current therefrom. The frames 18 are yieldably mountedupon arms of the trolley harp 17 and a conductor 19 has connectiontherewith and conveys the current to the motors. A helical spring'20supports the loose portion of the conductorso as to holdthe same up outof the way.

rFhe pendent frame B consists of anupperv section21 and a lower section22. The

frame B is provided at its upper end with lows that motion beingimpartedto the sprocket chain 27 in one direction vor the other impartsa corresponding movement to the sprocket wheel 26 and the shaft 24,"

thereby causing the frame B to movebackf ward or forward upon the track8. Cords"` or like connections 28 are connected to' opposite ends of thesprocket chain 27 and after passing around suitable guide pulleys areconnected to the ends of a sprocket chain 29, which passes around asprocket wheel 30 fastened to the shaft of a hand wheel 31 mounted uponthe outer portion of the horizontal frame C, which is connected at itsinner end to the lower portion of the vertical or pendent frame B.

The horizontal frame C' is pivotally mounted upon the lower end of thevertical frame B, the latter being provided with journals 82, which passthrough openings in the side members of the frame C,said journals 32being hollow and constituting bearings for a shaft 33. The frame C has arear extension 34, which is provided with a threaded rod 35, upon whicha weight 36 is adjustably mounted, thereby admitting of the frame Cbeing counterbalanced so that it may normally occupy a horizontalposition and by having said frame C counterand 22 and is headed at itsupper end andy tion 22 may be readily turned to any angular position.The conductor 19 passes through Athe tube 37 and is prevented .fromtwisting when turning the frame C.

`The horizontal frame C may be of any light and substantial constructionand comprises side pieces formed of upper and lower members andtransverse connecting pieces. -Head blocks 42 are provided at the outerend of each side piece of the frame C and support the chopping mechanismand the saw, as well as the operating means therefor. Each of the headblocks 42 is relcessed upon opposite sides, the inner recesses receivingbearing blocks 43 and the `outer recesses receiving gearing foroperating both the chopping mechanism and the saw. A shaft 44 is mountedin the head blocks 42 and receives the chopping mechanism. A bar 45loosely mounted upon the shaft 44 pivotally supports chopping blades 46,the latter being pivoted thereto at 47. Short bars 48 are secured to theshanks of the chopping blades 46 and project beyond the same. Brackets49 are secured to the bar 45 and springs 50 connect the ends of thecross bars 48 with said brackets, the tension of the springs 50 beingregulable so as to offer more or less resistance to the movement of thechopping blades about their pivotal supports 47. The bar or support 45constitutes in effect a rotary head to which the chopping blades 46 arepivotally attached'.y lA spur gear' 51 is fastened to each end of th'eshaft 44 and is adapted to mesh with a spur gear 52 fastened to theouter end of a shaft 53, which is mounted in each of the blocks 43. `Apulley 54 is secured to each end of the shaft 44 and is grooved toreceive a drive belt 55. A clutch member 56 is keyed u on the shaft 44to rotate therewith but is ree to have a limited longitudinal movementthereon. A clutch member 57 is provided upon each side of the rotaryhead 45 and is adapted to coperate with the clutch member 56 to securethe rotary head to the shaft 44 when the chopping mechanism is requiredto be set in operation.

It is to be understood that each end portion of the shaft 44 issimilarly equipped. A bell crank 59 is mounted upon each head block 42and each of said head blocks is provided with an arm 60. One member ofthe bell crank 59 coperates with the annularly grooved hub 56" of theclutch member 56, so as to positively move the latter when the bellcrank 59 is operated. The other member of the bell crank 59 is connectedby means of a rod 61 with an arm 62 secured to a shaft 63, which latteris provided with an operating lever 64 having a hand latch to cooperatewith a toothed sefrment 65 to secure the operating lever 64 and attachedparts in the desired adjusted position. The clutch members 57 areprovided upon the outer sides of pulleys 66, which constitute brakemembers. Brake bands 67 coperate with the brake pulleys 66 and haveconnection at one end with the arms 60 and at their opposite ends withrods 68, which extend to arms 69 projecting from the shaft 63, wherebyboth the clutch members 56 and the brake mechanism 66 and 67 areoperated simultaneously, the one being thrown into action when the otheris thrown out of action. When the lever 64 is moved to throw the clutchmembers 56 out of engagement with the clutch members 57 the brake bands67 are simultaneously tightened about the brake pulleys 66, therebyholding the chopping mechanism inactive. The drive belts 55 afterpassing around the pulleys 64 are directed by guide pulleys 70 appliedto the main frame C and derive power from pulleys 71 secured to theshaft 33, the latter in turn being driven from a motor 72 mounted uponthe rear portion of the frame C, the motor shaft having a spur gear 73which meshes with a spur gear 74 fastened to an extension of the shaft33.

The hand wheel 31 is located near the outer end of the frame C near theoperating lever 64, so that the controlling parts may be accessible froma given point. The shaft 75 of the hand wheel 31 is hollow and receivesother shafts which pass therethrough and are provided at their upperends with cranks 76 and 77 and at their lower ends with cranks 78 and79. The cranks 76 and 77 are provided with operating pieces, which passthrough semicircular slots 8O of a wheel 81, the latter being notched tocoperate with the operating pieces of the crank arms 76 and 77 to holdthe same in an adjusted position. Rheostats 82 are provided for theelectric conductors, one for each motor, said rheostats also admittingof the circuits heing reversed or modified according to the result to beattained. Rods 83 connect the crank arms 78 and 79 with the switchblades of the rheostats 82 so that the motors may be independentlycontrolled, it being understood that one crank arm 76 controls one ofthe motors and the other crank arm 77 the other motor. 31 is rotated thecords or like connections When the hand wheel the shaft 24 to rotate andeffect a shifting of the frame B backward or forward upon the track 8,so as to position the chopping mechanism to the work in hand. The cordsor like connecting means 28 pass around guide pulleys 84 mounted on rods85 which in turn are mounted in the frame C in any manner.

Cranks 90 are provided at the inner ends of the shafts 53 and areconnected bv means of a pitman frame 91 to the inner end of a rod or bar92 of a saw 93, whereby the lat-ter is reciprocated when in operation.The rod or bar 92 passes through a tubular guide 94 at the outer end ofa swinging frame 95, which is forked and has its forked members pivotedto the head blocks 42. A cam 96 is provided upon the inner end of eachfork member of the frame 95 and is adapted to engage the lower end of abearing block 43 to eifect movement thereof, Willen the frame 95 isswung upwardly and forwardly to bring the saw 93 into operativeposition, as shown in Fig., 3a, the cams 96 move the blocks 43 upwardand support the same in elevated position, thereby holding the spurgears 52 in mesh with the spur gears 51, whereby the saw is operatedfrom the shaft 44. Then the frame 95 is swung rearwardly, as indicatedin Fig. 13, the cams 96 are withdrawn from beneath the bearing blocks 43and the latter dropping carry the spur gears 52 away from the spur gears51, thereby throwing the saw out of act-ion. WThen the saw 93 is swungto a position to be out of the way, as indicated in Fig. 13, it is heldby means of a spring clip 97, which is secured to a cross bar clip orotherwise secured to the side pieces of the frame C. Vhen the frame 95is swung into operative position it is retained in place by means of abolt 98 mounted upon a head block 42 engaging an opening in the frame 95near its inner end. The saw is required at times for cutting through alarger bone, such as found near the rump of a carcass and required to becut through preliminary to the splitting of the carcass along thevertebrae.

ln the operation of the invention the parts being assembledsubstantially as herein.

stated movement of one of the crank arms 76 or 77 closes the circuitincluding the electric motor 15 with the result that the carriage Atravels upon the track 1 and when the machine reaches the desiredposition the crank arm previously operated is moved to shut off thecurrent, thereby fixing the position of the mechanism by reason of theinterlocking of the teeth of the p'inions 11 with the teeth 4 of thetrack rails 1. Movement of the hand wheel 31 in one direction or theother will cause the vertical frame B to travel upon the track 8 of thecarriage A to advance the chopping mechanism or to move said choppingmechanism backward as may be required. After the chopping mechanism hasbeen properly positioned the same is set in motion bv operating theother of the crank arms 76 or 77,

whereby the circuit including the motor 72Y is closed, As the shaft 44isrotated the chopping blades 46 are carried around in a circular pathand by reason of their peculiar mounting the chopping blades are adaptedto yield slightly at the instant of delivering the blow. The choppingmechanism may be thrown out'of action without stopping the motor 72 `byoperating the lever 64, which throws the clutch members 56 outward andat the same time `brings the brake mechanism into play so as to .holdthe chopping mechanism against movement. Should it be required to usethe saw for cutting through a large bone the frame 95 is swung intooperative position and secured by the bolt 98 and as the frame 95 swingsinto operative position the cams 96 at the sameA time move the bearingblocks 43 upward in the headrblocks 42, thereby bringing the spur gears52 and 51 into'meshing relation, whereby the saw is `operated in themanner stated. To prevent injury to the operator a guard 99is tted tothe outer portion of the frame C, yas indicated most clearly in Fig.13..

The horizontal frame C is provided near its inner end with side plates89, in which are formed inclined slots 88, the latter receiving the endsof rods a, which support guide pulleys 70 for the drive belts 55.Adjustment of the rods 70a in the inclined slots 88 serves to regulatethe tension upon the drive belts so as to prevent any slipping thereof.f

From the forego-ing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the advantages ofthe construction and of themethod of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the artto which the invention appertains, and while we have described the'principle of operation of the invention, together with the device whichwe now consider to be the embodiment thereof, we desire to have itunderstood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that suchchanges may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. In a meat cutter of the character described, the combination of atrack, a frame mounted upon the track and provided with cuttingmechanism, a motor mounted upon the frame, gearing between said motorand track for eifecting movement of the frame, a second motor mountedupon the frame, connecting means between the second motor and cuttingmechanism for actuating'the latter, and controlling means forV throwingioo V` either' of the motors into operation for effectingmovement=` ofthe frame or the cut-- .ting mechanism.`

2. In a meat cutter of the character speci- `fied, the combination of atrack, a frame mounted u on the track, a motor mounted upon said trame,connecting means between the motorand track to effect movement of theframe, a second frame mounted upon the first mentioned frame and movablewith reference thereto, cutting mechanism mounted upon said secondframe, Ya motor likewise mounted upon the second frame, connecting meansbetween the last mentioned motor and the cutting mechanism, andcontrolling means mounted upon the second frame and adapted to throweither one or both of the motors into operation for effectingindependent or simultaneous movement of the first mentioned frame andthe cutting mechanism.

3. In a meat cutter' of the character substantially as set forth, thecombination of a track, a frame mounted upon the track and comprisingupper and lower sections connected by means of a swivel joint, operatingmeans between the track and upper section of the frame to effectpositive movement of the frame upon the track, actuating means mountedupon the lower section of the frame and having connection with theoperating means to eifect movement of the `frame when required, cuttingmechanism carried by the lower section of the frame, a motor for thecutting mechanism, and means carried by the lower section of the frameto throw the motor into or out of action.

4. In a meat cutter the combination of a track, a frame mounted upon thetrack and comprising upper and lower sections co-nnected by means of aswivel joint, operating means between the frame and track to effectposit-ive movement of the frame, actuating means for said operatingmeans carried by the lower section of the frame, a cutting mechanism, amotor for the cutting mechanism carried bythe lower section of theframe, and controlling means for said motor.

5. In combination a track, a frame mounted to travel upon the track andcomprising upper and lower sections which are connected by means of aswivel joint, an approximately horizontal frame pivotally connected withthe lower section of the first mentioned frame to turn therewith and tomove in a vertical plane at any angular posit-ion, cutting mechanismmounted upon the horizontal frame, a motor, connecting means betweensaid motor and cutting mechanism for actuating the latter, andcontrolling means mounted upon said horizontal frame for bringing theoperating mechanism into play for positively moving the first mentionedframe upon the track.

`6. In Aa meat cutter of the character described, a vertical framecomprisinor upper and lower sections, means for suspending the frame bythe upper section, a cutting mechanism mounted upon the lower section,an electric motor mounted upon the lower section and adapted to operatethe cutting mechanism, a tube forming a swivel connection between thetwo sections, said tube ,having a head and anti-friction bearinrsbetween the head of the tube and the part opposite said head, the tubeforming a passage for the conductor by means of which current issupplied to the motor.

7. In a meat cutter of the character described, the combination of atrack, a frame mounted to travel upon the track, the latter having aportion toothed, a shaft mounted upon the frame and having a spur gearin mesh with the toothed portion of the track, a hand wheel, connectingmeans between the hand wheel and shaft to admit of turning the latter tocause movement of the frame upon the said track, cutting mechanismmounted upon said frame, a motor, power transmitting means between themotor and cutting mechanism, and means mounted upon the frame forthrowing the motor into or out of operation.

8. In a meat cutter of the character described, the combination of atrack having a toothed portion, a frame mounted to travel upon the trackand comprising upper and lower sections connected by means of a swiveljoint, a cutting mechanism mounted upon said frame, a motor mounted uponthe frame, a shaft provided with a pinion in mesh with the toothedportion of the track, a hand wheel, connecting means between said handwheel and shaft for operating the latter to effect movement of the frameupon the track when required, and motor controlling means mounted uponsaid hand wheel for stopping, starting or modifying the action of themotor.

9. A meat cutter comprising a carriage," a supporting track therefor, avertical frame mounted upon the carriage to travel thereon at a rightangle to the movement of the carriage, ai horlzontal frame havingpivotal connection with thc vertical frame and provided with cuttingmechanism, means for counterbalancing the horizontal frame, a motormounted upon the horizontal frame and adapted to operate the cuttingmechanism, and means mounted upon the horizontal frame and adapted to beoperated to effect a movement of the vertical frame upon said carriage.

l0. In a meat cutter, the combination of a shaft, a rotary head mountedloosely upon the shaft and provided with a cutter and having clutchmembers upon opposite sides, drive pulleys fastened to opposite endportions of the shaft, clutch members keyed to necting means betweensaid operating lever f and clutch members to operate both simulshaft andprovided with a brake pulley,l 'means for imparting rotary mov-ement to.tane ously.

l1. In a meat cutter, the ACombination of a shaft, a cutter mountedloosely upon the the shaft, a clutch member mounted upon the shaft torotate therewith and to move thereon, a brake element arranged to cofoperate with the brake pulley, an operating lever, and connecting meansbetween the operating lever and brake element and clutch member, wherebywhen said clutch member is in engagement with the cutter the brakeelement s out of acton,and wherebj)T when the clutch member is out ofVaction the brake element s in operation In testimony whereof we aHX oursignatures in presence of two witnesses.

HUGH E. ooNGER. CHARLES w. WALLER.

Vtnesses:

JAMES GARDNER, GEORGE D. YOUNG.

